Tree Breeds in Orlando and the Maintenance they Need

Caring for the trees in your yard starts with understanding the different kinds that exist. After all, more than 60,000 species exist worldwide with varying needs.

At times, we take trees for granted or even neglect them. However, ignoring the trees might jeopardize the most costly, established plants in your yard. Some could even be irreplaceable. Trees contribute to a sense of history like no other plant, and just because they can live long, doesn’t imply they don’t require care.

If you live in Orlando, our Tree Service Company has arborists who can advise you on the different care and maintenance that different trees need. Here’s a list of tree breeds you can expect in Orlando.

Live Oak

This tree is known for its durability and longevity. Providing it with continuous care will keep it looking attractive and healthy for generations. If you have one in your yard, you should do the following:

Pruning

Dead limbs need pruning for safety reasons and eliminating deadwood enables wound closure, which is significant for the tree’s health. It’s also important you inspect the canopy. If it seems like limbs are becoming extremely heavy at the ends, thin those selectively to ease the load to avoid limb failure.

As trees grow older, growth typically slows down. However, appropriate care will maintain foliage, health, and growth.

Fertilizer

Under natural conditions, live oaks might not need fertilization but in a managed landscape, they gain from a suitable fertilizer comprising phosphorus, nitrogen, and potassium. The fertilizer will help sustain the appropriate fibrous root hairs that absorb nutrients and water from the soil. It’s about helping your tree pull the necessary resources.

Bracing and Cabling

When your tree grows in a way that prevents it from supporting the weight of some larger branches, a cabling system is necessary to alleviate some of the stress of the bowing branches. Cabling can also decrease the load on the limb and preserve it.

When you care for them, live oaks can live for a long time. These maintenance practices are applicable to trees of any age; it’s all about monitoring your tree and understanding its life cycle.

Southern Magnolia

The slow to moderate-growing tree has huge white flowers, which bloom from March through May. It has huge shiny green leaves and showy summer flowers, making it a popular ornamental during warm climates. Some of the maintenance practices it requires are:

Irrigation

Irrigation is necessary for dry climates in both winter and summer. The tree prefers between 40 and 80 inches of water annually.

Pruning

You must prune immature slow-growing trees in order to guide their shape. Keep in mind that pruned deciduous trees form calluses gradually, so trim new growth and deadwood by removing limbs and twigs at the tree’s base.

If the branches become too heavy to maintain their weight, prune mature trees slightly. Beware that huge cuts on aging magnolia won’t heal fast and might invite disease.

Location

The ideal location to plant a magnolia is dependent on whether it’s deciduous or evergreen and its cultivar. The evergreen Southern Magnolia might grow 80ft tall and 20-60ft wide. Therefore, you should plant it in spacious areas, for instance, lawns or in landscaped gardens with other trees.

Crape Myrtle

Crape Myrtle is known for producing stunning summer flowers and attractive foliage. Great diversity exists among these plants, with some being deciduous and others evergreen. The flower colors range from deep purple to ivory, lavender, magenta, and pale pink.

Although Crape Myrtle is a low-maintenance option for landscaping in a suitable region, they need specific care for their blooms to thrive. Consider these maintenance tips:

Sunlight

The tree requires full sun (six or more hours daily) to flourish. Less sunlight means the blooms won’t be as prolific and their colors might be diminished.

Appropriate Soils

These plants aren’t demanding about the soil pH although slightly acidic or neutral soils are best. However, the soil should be well-draining because crape myrtle is vulnerable to root rot.

Fertilizer

For healthy growth and brighter flowers, slow-release fertilizer is preferable. However, don’t put excess fertilizer that would encourage excess leaf development instead of flowers.

Pruning

The plants bloom on new wood, so early spring or late winter pruning is necessary to encourage flowering. Remove tangled branches, suckers, or irregular shapes to maintain the best form and size.

Trees offer numerous benefits besides the beautification of our homes. Consequently, it’s your responsibility to adopt the proper maintenance and care to ensure they thrive.